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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. For many women entrepreneurs, success seems to come at a higher price — with more time, effort and sacrifices than men might have to make. If you feel that way, you're not alone. In fact, the majority of women small business owners say they have to work harder for the same level of success as their male counterparts, according to the latest report on small business owners from Bank of America. While the climb might be steeper, that hasn't deterred millions of women from starting a business. Women have been driving record levels of small business creation since the pandemic began in 2020, and according to Fairygodboss , women are now starting 1,200 businesses per day. There's plenty we can learn from those who've been down the road before. Acknowledging that everyone's path is different, here are three strategies to help women business owners overcome common hurdles: Related: 8 Qu...

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Businesses, especially startups, are characterized by uncertainty. From the viability of a business idea to investors' decisions, as well as how users would respond to your latest product feature, you're never exactly sure what's coming. Externally, political, technological and competitive uncertainties are causes for worry as well. Studies have shown that uncertainties are constant in entrepreneurship, and a leader's ability to tolerate and manage them will greatly support the success of their venture. However, repeated exposure to high levels of uncertainty can send entrepreneurs into an emotional rollercoaster that could affect their self-image. Early-stage and first-time founders run greater risks of being broken by the twists and turns of rapidly changing business environments. More fascinating, though, is that some — especially serial entrepreneurs — are hooked to the uncertain...

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Vitiligo is a skin disorder where patches of colored skin lose pigment and turn white. This cosmetic condition is physically harmless yet can cause "spotted" persons to stand out from the crowd. I've had vitiligo since I was 12. Beginning as a small spot on the side of my mouth, my mother thought I had forgotten to wipe away toothpaste. Now, at age 43, 35% of my body has lost pigment in various patches across my arms, legs and back. Most would think of this condition as disfiguring, socially debilitating and, quite honestly, depressing. Yet my success today has been guided by a journey to gracefully be different. Below are four reasons why standing out has led me to stand up as a stronger leader. Related: 4 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Stand Out From Your Competition 1. It's okay to feel lonely Growing up, I did not know another soul that looked like me. It was clear that people wou...

As companies begin to return to an office setting, many founders of remote-based businesses are wondering if they need to follow suit. Remote setups were vital to keeping businesses going during the worst days of the pandemic, but is it incumbent on leaders to get their employees back in person to get to a next stage of growth? Not necessarily so, says Terry Rice, a business development consultant and contributor at Entrepreneur. "Being remote brings all kinds of benefits, from recruiting talent to low overhead," he says. "The key is being open and honest with employees about good and bad news, and keeping people connected on a human level — just because there is no water cooler doesn't mean people shouldn't be talking about fun things like TV shows they're watching." In this video, Terry meets with Alyssa Monroe, who runs a digital-first marketing and communications firm for beauty and lifestyle brands and cre...

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. It was easy to go home because we had to. Now, how do we get people to want to come back? In 2019, less than 6% of American workers worked primarily from home. Then COVID hit, and by May 2020, 35% of workers worked completely remotely, as high as 57% among professional and management occupations. Now, business leaders want people back in the office . Without in-person workplace interactions, leaders see workers missing out on building vital connections that facilitate collaboration and innovation and the soft skills gained by interacting with people at various levels within the company. But according to Pew research , 61% of remote workers say they work from home because they prefer to. Among knowledge workers unsatisfied with their current workplace flexibility, 71% said they were open to finding another job in the oncoming year. Demanding workers come back will drive quit rates and turn off new t...

Whether you've been to a live show or you're more familiar with Chris Farley's SNL rendition, the all-male strip club Chippendales has been a household name for decades. Photo by Denise Truscello/WireImage The brand is known as the first strip joint to cater to female desires with its signature shows featuring buff men in cuffs and bow ties - sans shirts. Founder Somen "Steve" Banerjee opened the strip club for the first time in Los Angeles in 1979, and the brand is still "thriving" today, reps told Entrepreneur , with its permanent Las Vegas show and a world-touring dance troupe. The brand has attracted the likes of Hollywood, with Magic Mike pulling inspiration from the iconic show, and some stars have even participated in the live performance, including Jersey Shore's Vinny Guadagnino . However, things were a lot less glamorous for Banerjee and the club behi...

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Everyone has dreams of being a CEO, so what is the difference between a mid-level employee and a CEO? Chances are, it is the traits that they possess. Whether you believe leaders are born or leaders rise to the occasion, several vital attributes repeatedly enable employees to rise to the top. Most people would like the number one trait to be experience and education because these two factors are within their control. It is satisfying to believe that if you work hard as much as necessary and continue to improve your skills, you will rise to the top — but that is not always how it works. Some of the most prominent tech CEOs of the 21st century are college dropouts, including Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs. This is not to say that education and experience are unimportant, but it demonstrates that while these tools can help you land a job, they do not necessarily help you conquer the tech wor...

Today's employees are seeking understanding, support and flexibility within their roles — and they will leave employers who don't give it to them. Here's what business owners and entrepreneurs need to know. https://www.tausiinsider.com/why-mental-health-and-well-being-should-be-your-top-recruitment-and-retention-priority/?feed_id=332986&_unique_id=6471d9f5c0e82

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. This past weekend, I had a rare opportunity to kick back and relax. I needed a few supplies before I settled into my couch, so I grabbed my Amazon Fire phone and headed out to the local shops. I didn't need to bring any cash — my Amazon Wallet had me covered. When I got home, I nearly tripped over the box of laundry detergent my Amazon Dash had ordered. I remembered to book my trip to New York City on Amazon Destinations, and just as I confirmed my hotel, the doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of my order from Amazon Restaurants. I grabbed my food, settled into my comfy couch and spent the rest of the day playing Amazon's online game, Crucible. Of course, none of this happened. Because while all of these Amazon products and services are real, they no longer exist. They were experiments that failed to achieve critical milestones, and Amazon shut them down. One of the things that made Jeff Be...

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. The concept of personality types, temperaments and working styles has been foundational in organizational behavior for years. As entrepreneurs or managers, we frequently assess personality to determine ideal team composition and workflows. While toxic personalities certainly exist, many others that seem difficult can offer severe advantages to start-up organizations. Oppositionality, non-conformity, perfectionism and the fickleness that often accompanies abstract thinking should not be deal-breaking traits. As a founder, I tend to have strong opinions about the working styles and personalities of those I consider creative, resourceful and hard-working people. At the same time, certain characters tend to clash within small teams, creating a challenging work environment. However, hiring managers can quickly write off people who are "difficult" as toxic — which can cost a startup its competiti...

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Whether you run a start-up that focuses on a single market or own a large business that operates worldwide, defining the company's mission and values is the fundamental thing needed to communicate its reason for existence, connect to customers and organize the group of people who will work toward a common business goal. This is what the "First Who, Then What" concept presented by Jim Collins in his book Good to Great refers to. It also encourages entrepreneurs at the helm of building successful organizations to "get right people on the bus" — in the key seats — and only then decide where to steer the bus. My company quickly became convinced of this idea's veracity, and I am willing to share how we ensure no "random passengers" on board. Related: How Establishing Core Values Drives Success People come first When we saw our company growing 10x in the first three m...

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Which came first? It's a fierce dinner table debate. Dinosaurs laid eggs, so they came first. But did the chicken egg come first? One much simpler problem to discuss is whether the customer or the employee came first. https://www.tausiinsider.com/is-my-customer-more-important-than-my-employees/?feed_id=332674&_unique_id=64620a6d9475e

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. In a previous article, I explored several reasons Black diversity officers struggle and how their CEOs can help. That opens the door to more straight talk about how the leaders themselves can step into their success and how their executive colleagues can be part of that success story. I focus on diversity leaders who identify as Black for three reasons: a majority of diversity leaders in America are Black, their Blackness matters and the opportunities they have are familiar to every diversity leader. At this point in history, inclusive leaders are learning to focus on race and keep other aspects of identity in view simultaneously. Let's look at four ways you, as a diversity leader — or as one of your executive peers — can thrive in this vital role. 1. Ensure that the Diversity Leader's role is scoped and resourced for achievement The 'DEI Why' has to be clear and achievable. Yes, it...

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Most of us have a good idea how to stay healthy and stay focused during stressful times, but there are 13 surefire ways you can supercharge your focus, increase motivation and boost drive for yourself and your employees. Be sure you are incorporating these into your weekly agenda. Westend61 | Getty Images Fun https://www.tausiinsider.com/13-ways-to-supercharge-your-focus-increase-motivation-and-boost-drive/?feed_id=332022&_unique_id=645a2ac8496e3

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Today's business leaders have a lot on their plate. Their companies expect them to manage digital change, lead digital initiatives and motivate employees in both in-person and virtual environments. This presents enormous challenges that digital leaders need to overcome. Hence, developing digital leaders is a pressing issue for the future of all industries. To be sure, the payoff is huge. Prior research has shown that digital leadership skills can improve well-being , lead to greater corporate productivity and increase profitability . In contrast, lack of leadership is a top challenge for digital transformation. However, many companies still struggle with how to develop digital leadership skills. Many place technologists in leadership roles, while others assign complex digital programs to traditional leaders. Both approaches can be a recipe for disaster. Instead, digital leaders need a mix of dig...

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. In today's competitive job market, it is more important than ever that your company culture is attractive. In fact, according to a recent Gallup poll, culture is the number one conversion factor for 20% of job seekers when considering a new job. Sadly, this is usually easier said than done. This is why it's imperative to step away, seek feedback from all levels within your company and figure out how to make some fundamental changes. Not only will this result in a happier and more productive workforce, but it will make your business stand out from the rest. So, where do you start? Well, after years of consulting, coaching and working with businesses of all sizes, here are my five key tips that are game-changers for creating a company that attracts top-level job seekers: Encourage creativity and out-of-the-box thinking You've heard it said, "If it isn't broken, don't fix it....

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Burnout doesn't only affect rank-and-file employees. It's a significant problem among entrepreneurs as well. According to an April 2018 study by three Harvard Business Review contributors, more than 25% of entrepreneurs are burned out to some degree. One quarter of respondents report "serious burnout." Related: Check out the best business books for entrepreneurs As the old saying goes, the fish rots from the head. Growth-mode companies run by founders or CEOs who no longer want to be there or no longer see the point in what they're doing will sooner or later find themselves in big trouble. For leaders more accustomed to fighting burnout within their teams, not within themselves, this necessitates a rapid change in perspective. Maybe a new reading list is an answer. Below, we'll introduce five books that can jolt you out of your comfort zone and arm you — and your team, if y...